The battle against Islamists in the northern Lebanon Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared was on Wednesday reportedly approaching the end with the Lebanese army now surrounding Fatah al-Islam militants in a very narrow area. The daily An Nahar said the new advances made Tuesday evening into the old sector of the camp left the terrorists encircled in an area no larger than 100 meters.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the bodies of 39 Fatah al-Islam militants lay in a Tripoli morgue, pending identification. The bodies were found in a mass grave of Fatah al-Islam militants. It said DNA tests were being conducted on the bodies. NNA said the militants were killed since the fighting in the Nahr al-Bared camp broke out May 20.
"Hokay, we got the DNA tests back."
"And?"
"They're human."
"Can't be." | Army troops on Tuesday were making "significant" gains in their weeks-long battle against the al-Qaida-inspired militants holding out inside Nahr al-Bared, according to security officials. Witnesses said the army was using armored bulldozers to push its way through the rubble in the devastated camp. Three armored personnel carriers could also be seen parked atop the rubble of destroyed buildings. A security camera was also seen placed on the rooftop of one of the collapsed buildings.
On Tuesday, another Lebanese soldier was killed in the fighting as the army closed in on Fatah al-Islam positions. The Nahr al-Bared battle has now cost the lives of 103 soldiers, out of a total death toll of about 200. |